I used to live in Japan. Now, I'm back in Japan. What will I learn the second time around?

Monday, October 12, 2009

English Lesson: Tastes Great! Less Filling!!

Max: How is your ice cream?Naomi: It has good taste. I love green tea ice cream. Wanna try it?Max: Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer chocolate.Naomi: You only like chocolate?Max: Yup. By the way, you should say, "It tastes good."Naomi: Why?

It is a matter of style. Americans most often use "taste" as a verb when we talk about food:Your spaghetti sauce tastes great!This bread tastes stale.I don't like tofu because it tastes bland.

We do this with the other four senses:You look great in your new jacket!The popcorn smells so good.My voice sounded raspy after five hours of karaoke.I feel so tired every day after work.

•••How about "good taste"?

One situation where people do say "good taste" is when someone agrees with your choice in something -- fashion, movies, cuisine -- and that choice shows you have an appreciation for sophisticated things. Of course, it also means you have have "bad taste."

For example --Hugh Jackman has good taste when it comes to picking suits. Of course, when you look like Jackman, just about anything you wear is going to look good. (I don't know about that pose, though. Where was this picture taken? Japan?)

Cher, on the other hand, had bad taste the year she decided to pick this dress. But of course, if she hadn't dressed like that, we would have had nothing to talk about when watching the Academy Awards.